Report and pics - Santhu Omzoor (Dirvem weekly)

Chikamagalur, Feb 10: Tuesday February 6 was a great and joyous day for the devotees of Chikamagalur diocese as Bishop Anthony Swami assumed charge of the diocese after the grand and solemn episcopal ordination ceremony.    Fr Anthony Swami was appointed Bishop of Chikamagalur by a decree issued by Pope Benedict XVI on December 2, 2006.

The episcopal ordination officiated by Arch-Bishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore was held at St Joseph Cathedral.

The solemn celebration began with a bike rally and a procession from Chikamagalur bus stand welcoming the new Bishop Anthony Swami and Arch0-Bishop Bernard Moras.  The solemn mass began at 10.30 am and was celebrated by Arch-Bishop Bernard Moras.  Bishop Emeritus J B Sequeira of Chikamagalur, Bishop Thomas Valapillay of Mysore along with more than 350 priests concelebrated the Solemn Eucharistic celebration.

Arch-Bishop Bernard Moras read the Papal decree that appointed Fr Anthony Swami as Bishop of Chikamagalur diocese. Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza of Mangalore, Bishop Gerald Issac Lobo of Shimoga, Bishop Lawrence Mukkuzi of Beltangady, Bishop of Robert Miranda, Bishop Peter Machado of Belgaum, In-charge of Kannur diocese Fr Chowrappa, retired Msgr Marcel Pinto of Chikamagalur, present administrator Fr T J Syriac were also present on the auspicious occasion.

Bishop emeritus J B Sequeira of Chikamagalur was given a touching farewell by dean Fr Daniel D'Souza.   He was felicitated for his yeoman's service to the diocese for a long period.  New Bishop too was given a warm welcome and Arch-Bishop speaking on the behalf of all gathered wished him all that is best in the years to come.

Prof Joseph welcomed the gathering and Fr T J Syriac proposed the vote of thanks while Fr Ronals Cardoza compered.